Long Time, No See
Hey strangers!
It has almost been one full year since I published my last blog post and what a year it’s been! Although I’ve been active on Instagram, I have missed the more personal blog aspect of what I do, so expect to be hearing more from me from now on. But as any old friends would, let’s play catch up… 2018 was absolutely unforgettable and abundant with monumental milestones that I can’t wait to share with you.
The spring brought me my last semester of my undergraduate career at the College of Charleston. In May, I graduated with a BA in Business Administration and a minor in Political Science and kissed my sweet city of Charleston goodbye. This bittersweet farewell had me leaving Charleston with a degree under my belt and lifelong memories, but behind, I left my sister (who is a junior at CofC) and the “southern charm” that I had been raised on. Thankfully, Sabina and Charleston are only a swift one hour and 45 minute JetBlue flight away!
College of Charleston Spring Commencement. May 12, 2018.
Immediately after graduation, I moved back home to Hilton Head Island in the interim before I embarked on my first journey of my postgrad adult life. Those brief three weeks at home were cherished immensely with lots of home cooked meals and beach days with my family.
After a restful break at home, I moved to Washington DC to begin my life in “the real world”. I moved into a gorgeous, but tiny (600 square feet, to be exact) one bedroom apartment in Navy Yard, just a ten minute walk from Capitol Hill where I would start my first job as the scheduler for my hometown Congressman, Mark Sanford (SC-01). I was only 6 days into work when much to my, and our district’s surprise, the Congressman lost his South Carolina primary race to his opponent. This unexpected defeat left me knowing that by the end of the year I was going to need to find a new job. The following harried months were stressful and brought upon health challenges that I never could have imagined, as I was diagnosed with Pityriasis Rosea, lasting for two and a half months. (PR is something I plan to write a post on because of the extensive research I have done on the rash and the lack of credible information on the web about it.)
My last day in Mark Sanford’s office. July 26, 2018.
In July, I found my silver lining. Job opportunities arose, I found what seemed to be a cure to my PR, and received news that Michael’s transfer request from Cincinnati to DC had been approved! After three and a half years of long distance, Michael and I not only moved to the same state (or should I say District?), same city, and same neighborhood, but also the same apartment! (and no, we have not killed each other quite yet ;) ) We share a tiny walk in closet, one dresser and only one of us has a nightstand (I bet you can guess who!), but thanks to the Container Store, we have made it work just fine - expect to see an apartment tour coming soon!
The day Michael moved in. July 7, 2018.
In early August, I accepted a job as the Director of Government Affairs for a boutique lobbying firm in downtown DC. My position allows me to not only build invaluable relationships with our clients, Hill staff and Congressional members, but it also allows me to focus on and support policy issues that I have a passion for.
2018 was abundant with travel to Tampa, Dallas, Palm Beach, Cincinnati (multiple times), Charleston, Hilton Head (multiple times), Palmetto Bluff, Cleveland, Orlando (twice), Las Vegas (for my first time!), Jekyll Island, and Detroit.
To cap off the year, I spent unforgettable time at home for the holidays with my family and in Cincinnati with Michael’s, I popped champagne to kick off the celebration of my “Jordan Year” birthday, and rang in the new year showering two of our best friends with love at their fabulous New Year’s Eve wedding!
2019, you have some large shoes to fill.
I want to thank you for sticking around and for the endless support you all provide. Here are just a few captured memories from the year. I’m excited to to continue to share with you more of this fun life I get to live! xx
